Tell California Lawmakers: Vote NO on AB 2664

California lawmakers are advancing AB 2664, a dangerous “buffer zone” bill that would dramatically expand restrictions on peaceful protest and political expression near places of worship.

The full State Assembly is expected to vote on AB 2664 by May 24, 2026.

ADC has formally submitted opposition on the record and strongly opposes AB 2664 because it threatens core constitutional protections and would criminalize peaceful expressive activity in public spaces.

Framed as a public safety measure, AB 2664 would create “buffer zones” around religious institutions and criminalize ordinary First Amendment activity, including leafleting, sign-holding, or engaging in political demonstration, under broad proximity restrictions.

Under the bill, individuals could face severe fines and jail time simply for approaching within eight feet of another person to distribute literature or engage in protest or educational speech inside a 100-foot zone surrounding a place of worship.

Why AB 2664 Is Dangerous

This bill is driven by protests outside Los Angeles synagogues hosting “real estate” events for the illegal theft of Palestinian land. These transactions violate international law and the 4th Geneva Convention.

Although framed as “real estate” sales, these transactions are political events explicitly tied to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Israel’s illegal annexation of the West Bank

AB 2664 does not address unlawful conduct, which is already prohibited under existing law.

Instead, it seeks to suppress protected political speech in public spaces, using a religious institution as cover for transactions that violate international law.

Existing state and federal laws already prohibit harassment, violence, intimidation, and obstruction at religious institutions, including under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. AB 2664 goes far beyond those protections by targeting peaceful expressive activity protected by the First Amendment.

AB 2664 would interfere with peaceful protest and violate constitutional protections. The bill also expands enforcement to sidewalks, driveways, parking lot entrances, and vehicle access points, effectively turning ordinary civic engagement into potential criminal liability based on proximity alone.